Receptionist salary in Seattle, WA
Median pay, Seattle metro
$45,820/year
about $22.03 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $40,600 – $50,810
Half of receptionists in the Seattle metro area earn more than $45,820 a year and half earn less. That's 21% higher than the national median of $38,010, and ranks #3 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| 25th | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| Median (50th) | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| 75th | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| 90th (top earners) | $60,520 | $29.10 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a receptionist job in the Seattle metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $40,600 ($19.52/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $40,600 to $50,810 ($19.52 to $24.43/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $50,810 ($24.43/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Medical and legal offices often pay receptionists more than general offices.
- Ask whether the role is hourly and how overtime and lunch breaks are handled.
- If the duties include billing, scheduling and office management, it's more than a receptionist job. Ask for pay to match.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Seattle metro. Occupation: Receptionists and Information Clerks (SOC 43-4171). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.